Abstract: A static seal is utilized to provide a fluid boundary in place of a dynamic eal during underwater storage. The static seal is formed by an O-ring disposed between a threaded collar and retainer. The collar is held in alignment with a shaft by means of slots so that the collar rotates with the shaft in either rotational direction but is capable of moving independent of the shaft in the axial direction. The collar is threaded to the retainer by turning the collar with respect to the retainer in a clockwise direction. This forms the O-ring static seal permitting underwater storage of an underwater vehicle for an extended period of time. Following storage the operation of the shaft in a counter-clockwise direction disengages the collar from the retainer thereby releasing the static seal so that the dynamic seal comes into utilization.